Category: Catenary Video

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ATVR Reviews Catenary Video

Southern Pacific Volume 5, S.F. Peninsula Route – 1954

Producer: Warren Haack

Locations: San Francisco, more…

Timeframe: 1954

Length: 58 minutes

Sources: many

A comprehensive look, into the circa 1954 Southern Pacific operations based around the San Francisco Peninsula Route.

* Catenary Video has previously released four volumes on Southern Pacific Steam. Each one has a focus. They are available individually or a complete set. All are reviewed on this site.

This is a DVD. 16×9 Widescreen color. Narrated. A non narrated option, on main menu. Full stereo soundtrack. Short preview section of Volumes 1-4 at conclusion. Mixture of 16mm and 8mm films.

This program is arranged by Chapters. Films are from the Transition Era. Diesel was replacing Steam. Hence, former headliner Steam power, was bumped down to Commuter Service.

Highlights only…

A Daylight livery GS-4 4430 with a matching consist.

SP GS-4 4430 with Train 96. The Noon Daylight in 1949. Number 96 is passing by, the 7th Avenue Car Shops.

The big GS class are used in the San Francisco Commuter Service. Pacific’s and Mikado’s are still in general service. Additional, smaller engines, mostly in yards. Cab Forwards are seldom seen in this locale/ show.

There are many maps and map types. This simple form is effective.

Early history begins with still photos. Maps , documents and illustrations. Soundtrack enhances the show. A PBS style presentation. Frequent map references are very helpful.

Bayshore Cut-Off construction, and the Great Earthquake are covered.

2829 is a Consolidation.

Above, is the 2829 Consolidation. Most common light duty power, used at this time.

Mission Bay Roundhouse

Mission Bay Roundhouse

The Mission Bay Roundhouse area is seen. Numerous locomotives are viewed here.

Commuter Parade at 3rd and Townsend

SP 4376 with Train 148 passes Townsend Tower. Note the Skyline casing on this GS class locomotive.

A large, Feature Chapter. Outstanding quality 16mm color film coverage. 3rd and Townsend.

Fresh repaints on some. 4305 leaves with #130.

This is the heart of the San Francisco Commuter Service. Many trains operating on tight Headways. Train 130 leaves with engine 4305.

The Way to San Jose

High speeds kept the trains on tight schedules to San Jose.

Commuters achieve 79 mph to maintain demanding schedules out here. Various trains are reviewed. The GS class 4370 can easily make time.

Santa Cruz Suntan Special

Tight curvature and Double headers out to Santa Cruz.

The San Francisco residents enjoyed these, Suntan Specials to the beach! Great scenery. Smaller locomotives and busy ridership. Sometimes, required doubleheader steam.

Monterey Branch

Del Monte at Monterey.

Del Monte train, with loco 2458. Historical significance with train name. This line, no longer exists.

Los Altos and Los Gatos

Branchline action.

Los Gatos and Los Gatos, are branchlines to small towns. Pacific 2400s are still in service on these lines. Above, Pacific 2476 is in charge of #132.

South Bay Shops

The 3305 backs onto the turntable.

South Bay had a unique turntable. Above, the 3305 is a 2-8-2 Mikado engine.

Mail Train 71 hustles through College Park.

Mail Trains were also important. Above, #71 speeds through College Park.

San Francisco Municipal Railway 40 Line

Muni 40 Line is briefly covered.

The San Francisco Municipal 40 Line. This is seen in rare, early paint. Goes to the downtown and Daly City.

Experimental Cupola stripes on this caboose.

Rare stripes on a show full of rarities. There are additional Special Excursions. SP outings with special locomotives. Much more to see!

Southern Pacific Volume 5, S.F. Peninsula Route – 1954

An intriguing collection that takes viewers back to circa 1954. Most of the 16mm film is pristine. The Cinematography is excellent.

Audio has many small extra effects. Background, they are movie like. Natural, Enviornmental. Might go unnoticed. Listen carefully on a second time. Skillfully done.

An educational and interesting script. Requires a few viewings to get all the information. Especially, if one is unfamiliar with most of the material.

This release is top tier. Continues the high level of the series. Raises the bar, from the previous shows. A must have, for Southern Pacific or Steam Era Railfans.

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Catenary Video

The Trains We Missed Volume 2: Logging & Mining Shortlines

Producer: Catenary Video

Locations: California, Arizona, Mexico

Timeframe: 1920 – 1968

Length: 62 minutes

Sources: Kirkland, Kistler, Stein, Alter, Rose, Balderston, Aitken

The Trains We Missed Volume 2. A continuation of the Catenary Video series. Lucius Beebe theme, from his 1966 book. The Trains We Rode. Focusing on obscure, Railroad operations. Here, we have Logging Lines and Mining Shortlines.

Warren Haack is the Director. Have seen some great shows from him. He is in the Top Tier of Train Video Producers. A PBS style program here. Many elements woven together, to produce a fascinating journey into the past.

John Kirkland was a Sales Manager, for Baldwin Locomotives. He travelled in the Western States. Filmed in color. High quality, 16mm film. Catenary Video has partnered with, additional resources to bring out these films.

A Chapter Menu is included. Maps. On – screen graphics. Guest narrators. You are there, Enviornmental Sound. Extremely detailed, on certain segments. Top quality soundtrack. A must hear!

The main menu alone, reveals a greater diversity, compared to Volume One. There is much material to view. So, we shall hit some highlights.

Logging Shortlines

Michigan – California RR & Cableway 1938. Black and White, plus Color films. Lumber and Rail. Unique Cable Tramway. Single freight car operation across the American River.

Pickering Sugarpine RR 72 miles long. Color. Shays used. Very steep grades. Stan Kistler tells of 1950s, on – location recordings, he made there. Fantastic 16mm film and amazing audio!

Pickering Shay on a wooden trestle.

Ride the train through the woods. Stan talks about it. This footage is stunning!

Apache Railway 72 mile railroad. A Lumber and Railroad. McNary Mill 1952.White Mountain Apache Reservation. Complete story.

Kirkland rode a log job.

John Kirkland filmed a new Baldwin, delivered to Apache Railway and a return visit in 1952. Color film. Nice caboose.

Apache Railway served this McNary Mill.

As with many facilities, or even the Railroads themselves. Most of the subjects are long gone. Fortunately, we can visit these places, via shows like these. The Arizona Logging operation and a later Tourist line, are no longer in existence.

Oregon & Northwestern RR 51 miles. Burns to Seneca. Extension added later. Steam until 1953.. Color. McCloud River S-12, for a demo filmed by Kirkland, on the O & N. This in 1953.

Oregon & Northwestern ran Steam until 1953.

John Kirkland had even more great footage here.

The new Baldwin pulls a load of logs.

Baldwin delivered an AS 616 Oregon & Northwestern #1.

Mining Shortlines

Minera Mexicana at Avalos Streetcars/ Trolleys. FCM 86 steamer. Dual gauge yards at Mexico City. Louis Stein and Art Alter, filmed this in color. Check the audio!

Super Rare. Streetcars action in Mexico. See and hear.

Some brief Streetcars are operating in Mexico City 1963. That is Mega Rare! Excellent film quality. The creative Catenary, you are there, soundtrack. Amazing sequence!

Baby Gauge at Avalos. Check the size difference!

Various Steam trains are seen operating, passenger service. Ride and follow one. Look at that Baby Gauge Steam Engine, above image! That is at Avalos, Mexico.

Magma Arizona RR 28 mile line. Built East of Phoenix. Location was Superior, Arizona. It served the Superior Copper mine. Excellent collection of film.

Magma #5 runs at Superior, Arizona.

Magma Arizona Railroad. The #5 is a 2-8-0 Consolidation. Magma Arizona ran one of the last revenue Steam Locomotive operations in the United States.

The Baldwin S8 replacement for Steam, at right.

A Baldwin S8 was sold to them used by John Kirkland More Baldwin power. RS3 at Magma Mine. Great footage.

Trona Railway Mohave Desert. Lake Searles, CA. 1949 Baldwin Center Cabs delivered.

Trona Baldwin Center Cabs.

Kaiser Steel: Eagle Mountain Railroad Ore line to an SP connection, near the Salton Sea. Power was by Baldwin DRS 6- 6-1500 units.  Also AS- 616. The year 1968, saw SP leased power for heavily loaded trains. John Kirkland film.

Eagle Mountain.

Tooele Valley Railway Tooele, Utah AS 616 demo. Smelter connection for Western Pacific and Union Pacific.

Carbon County & Geneva Smelter (US Steel) Columbia, Utah. Built in 1941. Baldwin VO 1000. Wartime assigned to the mill in 1943.  In 1952 the AS 616 demo worked there. ( A sister mine operation operates for US Steel. Still photos and train sounds. USS F7 fleet there)

Baldwin – Lima – Hamilton. Final three locomotives
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Thorough Chapter, yet moves quickly. Plant and parallel Diesel history.

Outside and inside views, of the structures. Subtitles with details.

Intriguing feature, with steel making process. Interpolation of early diesels. John Kirkland was their locomotive Salesman. Nicely done!

Carbon County caboose pair.

The Trains We Missed Volume Two

Coverage of Loggers and Mine Shortlines is extensive. Rare films in a relatively compact package. The creative presentation keeps this release interesting for all.

Film restoration is excellent. Once again, the unusual soundtrack puts this over the top! Extremely detailed on certain scenes. Listen closely to the chatter in Mexico. See and hear those rocks roll at trackside. Guest narrators. High quality overall. Even more…

This series is great for most any train enthusiast. In fact, history buffs should enjoy these, as well. The PBS show style, offers that crossover appeal. They display highlights of a Volume 3. Bring it on Catenary Video!

Rating: 5 Stars

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ATVR Reviews Catenary Video

The Trains We Missed Volume 1

Producer: Catenary Video Productions

Locations: California – Nevada

Timeframe: 1929- 1959

Length: 62 minutes

Sources: Stein, Kirkland, Sappers, Phelps, Alter, Savage

To paraphrase the formal Catenary lines. They are producing a unique series. A theme based on the classic Lucius Beebe book, The Trains We Rode.

This initial release, is of obscure Northern California and Western Nevada operations. Coverage includes more than only Railroads. 1929 San Francisco Cable Cars for one example.

Top shelf 16mm film sources! Catenary has partnered with the Western Railway Museum. Digitally transferred to wide screen HD. Mostly color.

A new narrative form in train videos, as well. Character voices. Viewers become the traveller! Experience a fresh perspective. All of this in the years, between 1929- 1959.

This show has a Main Menu. Detailed Chapter Menu. Musical augmentation. Frequent map references. On-screen graphics. Stereo Soundtrack. 16×9 Widescreen. DVD-R.

This program is in a PBS style presentation. Warren Haack is the Host Narrator. Additional credits for Guest Appearances.

There are many locations. A variety of subjects. I have formatted this review, to follow the menu.

Highlights only. Too much to show everything here.

A few short sequences, have been previously released. Other Producers do this, as well. Original films are limited. It is part of telling a story. What re-appears here, is in a higher quality. Plus, the benefit of newly added sounds.

Part 1: Shortline Excursion Loop- North to South: SF Naps & Calistoga, SP Roseville 1947, NCNG, V&T, SP Narrow Gauge.

Cable Car Ride in 1929. Experience the scene!

Pacific Avenue Cable car ride in 1929. Black and white. You are there! Voices, footsteps, vehicles. A serious upgrade over anything, previously done.

The Enhanced Soundtrack Adds A New Dimension.

San Francisco Napa & Calistoga. Electric Street cars. Black and White film. Large cars, not trolleys.

A GS class rolls past the old Roseville Station.

SP Roseville 1947. Yard and vicinity. Plenty of action here.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge.

Nevada County Narrow Gauge. Colfax. A mining Railroad for 68 years. Carried gold. Black and white, plus color film by Al Phelps. Ken Yeo is interviewed.

Virginia & Truckee in 1950.

Virginia & Truckee. Historic Virginia City. Carson City. Lucius Beebe varnish. Beautiful film. Closed in 1950.

The Slim Princess #18.

Southern Pacific Carson and Colorado. The Slim Princess #18 . SP Keeler Branch was the last of three Narrow Gauge lines. Owenyo transfer footage.

Shortline Excursion Loop- South to North: Santa Fe, YV, Bay Area Electrics, State Belt.

Santa Fe 2901, is serviced. Note the exhaust extension.

Santa Fe. Steam at Raton, New Mexico. #2901 is a 4-8-4, Northern type. Super Chief diesels. Other name trains introduced by ATSF.

Yosemite Valley traverses it’s route.

Yosemite Valley Railway. A short line began in 1907. San Francisco origin point. See and ride this one.

Incline Lumber Operation film. Sugar Pine Lumber is discussed.

Brand new EMD F7 set on Santa Fe. Warbonnet scheme.

Santa Fe Dieselized. Warbonnet F units. Mainline is cutback at Richmond.

Standard Oil on private property. Talk about homemade!

Standard Oil Flatcar. Electrified Line. Ran on private property. Checkout that homemade equipment! Model Railroaders take note.

Richmond Shipyard. Former New York City el cars from 1890 on this Interurban electric line.

State Belt. Served 67 miles of San Francisco wharf areas. Alco S2. Exhibition trains used the trackage too.

Part 2- Kirkland Southern Pacific.

John Kirkland films. He was a Manager for Baldwin Locomotives. Fine Cinematographer. Used 16mm film. This section alone, is worth the admission.

Baldwin AS-616 demonstrated. Leads an SP Golden State train.

Baldwin AS 616, demonstration unit #1600. BLH now. He also shot Steam and other Diesels. Assortment of trains. A brand new, Baldwin S-12 is delivered.

Southern Pacific AC-10 on the Modoc Line.

He films the Modoc Line, with big Steam. Some of this, has been previously released. Oakland finale. Outstanding quality!

Part 3- Sacramento Northern.

Sacramento Northern had plenty of Street Trackage.

Oakland. Freight on the Electric line. Street running, as we follow along. Circa 1957. We continue to visit the area in the early 1950s. A combination of Riding and Viewing this operation.

Virginia & Truckee went out early. Despite it’s early success.

The Trains We Missed Volume 1.

A fascinating tour, of many uncommon rail subjects. The singular soundtrack is special. Film quality is excellent overall. Plenty of extras. Informative and entertaining narration.

Everything you need, in a well thought out show. Has something for everyone.

Rating: 5 Stars

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Catenary Video

Pickering’s Sugar Pine Railroad

Pickering’s Sugar Pine Railroadcvr

Catenary Video Productions

Length: 62 minutes

Time Period: 1920’s to 1965

Locations: Stanislaus River Canyon, Standard,  Peeled Onion, Chinaman Creek, Strawberry, and many more..

Sources: Don Olsen collection

MSRP: 29.95

Pickering’s Sugar Pine Railroad receives comprehensive coverage, from early days through abandonment. This logging line was 70 miles long. The Sugar Pine branched from The Sierra mainline. Multiple camps and assorted tracks are visited. A former engineer and a conductor, give first person perspective of oldtime logging railroad life.

Geared locomotives operate in the tall pines. Additional scenes display steam powered donkeys and their application. The Empire City Narrow Gauge is an incline, feeder line to the railroad. Ultimately, the steam gets replaced by diesel, much of the railroad replaced by trucks. Here is a chance to look back in time…..

1Warren Haack is a very capable producer. Catenary Video has a PBS style program. A smooth blend of: vintage films, period photographs and interviews with former railroad employees. Narration, train sound and music, all tell this story.

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Numerous and varied maps are included, and we’ll need them. Location and elevation maps are basic, but are sufficient for an older show. This one shows just one of many areas visited.

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Vintage 16mm color film contains rare, Sugar Pine Railway views. If you have seen other Catenary logging shows, it is in a similar arrangement. Over 100 vintage black and white photographs augment the history and storytelling. The chapters are titled, such as Geared Locomotives. No chapter menu. Script is good and well organized.

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Manny Marshall and his brother Tom, are both former railroad employees of the railroad. Stories and photos from the 1920’s and on, do add character to this show. Their tales offer first hand insight into logging life. Humor is a part of the storytelling. They worked there from 1920 to 1942.

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Sawmills are another subject that is discussed and has some operations to watch. Still photos and movie film gets it done.

Catenary Video and Tuolumne Films have a variety of logging line shows available. This is one of the older releases. Some others have a higher content of movie film. This one has more film rolling in the second half. What is shown, is in color 16mm.

shy                                                   Shay #8 works at a sawmill.

Wrecks and Runaways is another interesting chapter. The brothers have some detailed stories of wrecks that had occurred and some avoided.

cabnHere is one for model railroaders. How did they move the camps around? Load everything you can and ship it by rail. Redefines the term ‘ cabin car ‘. Perhaps, the ‘ Ship and Travel ‘ slogan too! Numerous still photos are memorable ones.

po2The Peeled Onion was a line carved into solid granite.

logPickering’s Sugar Pine Railroad covers a plethora of the historical aspects in about an hour. Fascinating sights and stories are exactly what makes logging lines so compelling. These programs are worlds apart from class ones such as, Santa Fe or New York Central.

This show is good entertainment for the family. Model railroaders will see a good amount of detail. Railfans will obtain a type of railroading that was, far off the beaten path. A word of caution on logging shows, they can be habit forming. That is in a good way.

Rating: 4 Stars

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Catenary Video

Smoke in Niles Canyon

Smoke in Niles Canyoncvr

Catenary Video Productions

Length: 35 minutes

Time Period: 1920’s- Present

Sources: Don Olsen, Bill Straile, Warren Haack

MSRP: 19.95

A Pictorial History of The Niles Canyon Railway

Niles Canyon is presented in a ‘then and now ‘ format. Located west of San Francisco, California. Both Southern Pacific and Western Pacific had tracks through the canyon. SP abandoned their line. Pacific Locomotive Association operates a museum and vintage equipment on the now restored trackage. Known as, Niles Canyon Railway, the remainder of the show will focus on modern operations.

The historical films are from the Don Olsen collection. Black and white from 1926 begins the movie film coverage. Much color is seen in the archive assortment. Modern footage was shot in HD. Various early black and white, plus color photographs.

cvmClover Valley Lumber Company Mallet. Archive film that captures a logging train. For a short program, we visit beyond Niles Canyon. The benefit is the sight of some equipment heritage.

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Narration by Warren Haack. He was raised in logging country and is an enthusiastic host. Warren has produced this release, with fine results. Dividing the show into chapters, we start with a look at the early history of the tracklaying period in 1869. The editing is smooth and sharp. No chapter menu or search function.

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A PBS style format is used for this release. Narrative, train sounds, live sound, photographs and brief commentaries, all enhance this high quality show.

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Custom maps are frequently referenced. Older SP/ WP and Niles Canyon current day.

cz1Western Pacific California Zephyr. Multiple scenes with this famous train. Ride the train too. A few Cab Forwards on freights are seen, on the close proximity SP line.

2472 southern pacific steam          SP 2742 at Mission Bay.

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Southern Pacific 2742. Vintage and contemporary views, of this classic engine.

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California Western Skunk. These trolley/ interurbans are the diesel self-propelled type. Different color schemes and various models, are seen in the old films.

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Modern Niles Canyon Railway is featured in the second half of this show. Four steamers were operating when this was filmed. Get a cab ride on this Robert Dollar Co. locomotive.

gncA photo freight special that swaps leading locos on this doubleheader.

mclThe saddle tankers appear almost narrow gauge. Until coupled to standard gauge cars! More background information on these engines would be desirable. The 35 minutes packs much, but is a shorter release. If the log trains catch your fancy, check other Catenary titles.

Smoke in Niles Canyon is an excellent show for the whole family to enjoy! There is plenty to keep railfans and model railroaders interested, as well. A nicely balanced presentation.

Rating: 4 Stars